Just like the inventors of true 'new' 'alternative' comedy, aka The Goons and Monty Python, when you thought it was safe to come out into the 'normal' TV comedy world, along came Alexei Sayle's Stuff. Straight out of the alternative comedy basket and into his own series here.
Of course, just like the latter stylised types, his humour could be hit and miss, but when it hit, he could manage some good laughs with his political affiliations on 80's/90's blighted 'Thatcherite' Britain via his monologues in the tight suits and arm-flapping rantings. However, that was his style and it suited the period well. Coupled with numerous bizarre sketches, sometimes as I say with a beleaguered 'miss' on the punchlines, but often still funny, this three-series (six episodes in each) was welcome and still, although dated in places can hit the right note.
The openers to the episodes, the 'Mickey Mouse' one and of course the 'Who's that fat bastard!?!' one were classics in their own right, however easy-going the basis of them were. Of particular interest was one show where Leslie Crowther imitated Sayle in his monologue-persona. Leslie Crowther actually died just before screening of the show which was to feature him and I remember at the time, the BBC mentioned it was being screened with the Crowther family's permission and blessing as a kind of blaze of glory for the ex-game show host.
Notable also for including a new wave of comedy actors into his sketches (Mark Williams, Angus Deayton and old stablehands like Tony Millan from 'Citizen Smith' some years before, showed a wealth of good talent to act out the mad sketches).
I actually bumped into Alexei Sayle and his wife and asked him for his autograph which was great - this was in the famous Soft Furnishing chain in the UK 'DFS' - proving he really was a man of the people! (I don't think it's fair of anyone to summise that he hadn't made it as he was in there!). I managed to see all three series of 'Stuff' on sale in HMV, two years ago and although together they cost me £45 - an extremely rare sight anywhere even then as now. I thought it was a bargain indeed - but alas, it was a Christmas present for my brother! I have a downloaded copy of just the first series and am scouring for a copy of my own of the other two series - it's well worth the bother!
Of course, just like the latter stylised types, his humour could be hit and miss, but when it hit, he could manage some good laughs with his political affiliations on 80's/90's blighted 'Thatcherite' Britain via his monologues in the tight suits and arm-flapping rantings. However, that was his style and it suited the period well. Coupled with numerous bizarre sketches, sometimes as I say with a beleaguered 'miss' on the punchlines, but often still funny, this three-series (six episodes in each) was welcome and still, although dated in places can hit the right note.
The openers to the episodes, the 'Mickey Mouse' one and of course the 'Who's that fat bastard!?!' one were classics in their own right, however easy-going the basis of them were. Of particular interest was one show where Leslie Crowther imitated Sayle in his monologue-persona. Leslie Crowther actually died just before screening of the show which was to feature him and I remember at the time, the BBC mentioned it was being screened with the Crowther family's permission and blessing as a kind of blaze of glory for the ex-game show host.
Notable also for including a new wave of comedy actors into his sketches (Mark Williams, Angus Deayton and old stablehands like Tony Millan from 'Citizen Smith' some years before, showed a wealth of good talent to act out the mad sketches).
I actually bumped into Alexei Sayle and his wife and asked him for his autograph which was great - this was in the famous Soft Furnishing chain in the UK 'DFS' - proving he really was a man of the people! (I don't think it's fair of anyone to summise that he hadn't made it as he was in there!). I managed to see all three series of 'Stuff' on sale in HMV, two years ago and although together they cost me £45 - an extremely rare sight anywhere even then as now. I thought it was a bargain indeed - but alas, it was a Christmas present for my brother! I have a downloaded copy of just the first series and am scouring for a copy of my own of the other two series - it's well worth the bother!